MICHAEL JACKSON R.I.P ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
June 25, 2009
It isn’t very often that I’m shocked at the passing of one of our musical heroes, but when I heard about Michael Jackson I was devastated. I’ve known Michael since he was 12 years old and he recorded a song I co-wrote, “Little Christmas Tree” (Clinton/Wayne)
I met him and his family at the Tokyo Music Festival in 1974, and had a chance to tell him how much I liked his recording of my song. I also told him that he was one of my biggest dance influences, which made him smile considering I was three times his age.
When I told Michael that I was a songplugger and I couldn’t go out dancing late at night like I once did, he said in that high little voice of his, “Artie…why don’t you build a dance floor in your office?”.
As soon as I got back to Hollywood, Warner Brothers Music built me a four foot circular plywood dance floor, but a few months later when I went to run A&Ms publishing company they constructed a six foot mahogany one for me! To this day I’m proud to tell everyone that it was Michael Jackson’s idea.
The last time I was in touch with him was when he was about to do the “Thriller” album. He was holding onto one of my songs for over a year, and even made a few suggestions to improve the bridge, but in the end he didn’t record it. I was still grateful for the opportunity.
From now until the end of time millions of words will be written about him and his influence in music, dance, and fashion, but the most important gift he has given the world is everlasting hope and inspiration.
Thank you Michael and R.I.P. may you ROCK IN PERPETUITY!
Respectfully, Artie https://artiewayne.wordpress.com/about-artie-wayne/
Artie Wayne On The Web 
June 26, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Thanks for sharing your memories, Artie.
I remember meeting he and his brothers, at Motown Studios, when they were quite young. Watching them record remains one of my fondest memories.
Like you I am stunned at Michael’s premature passing. Yesterday every pop station in Phoenix was playing his music.
What a tribute to an outstanding talent.
September 23, 2009 at 1:34 am
I missing You My king Michail Princese
June 26, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Artie…Thanks for the wonderful story about Michael…He made such an impact on so many people, both in and out of the business. I worked with him during the period just before his first solo album was released…I don’t know what the title was, but I was out at the Jackson family compound several times with magazine writers. It was the first time he was allowed to give interviews without a Motown person being thee to direct both the questions and answers, so what came out were the thoughtful musings of this boy/child. He was feeling creative stirrings, as he began to be more involved with his music, the writing, the production, the business. My daughter Lori (who you knew back then) had a massive crush on Michael, so I brought her with me to the house for a couple of those interviews…He was very sweet, gracious, even shot some hoops with her, then the photographer (who I don’t remembe who was there) took a photo of her with Michael…she still has the photo and cherishes it to this day.
I remember giving Michael a gift of a few books, which I thought might be useful as his creative spirit began its solo flight–one was Siddhartha, and I think another was God forgive me) Jonathanb Livingston Seagull… I would have liked to give him Ram Dass’s Be Here Now, but I’m not sure even I had read it by that time.
Anyway, his was yet another tragedy, following on the heels of Phil Spector, and a few other friends and acquaintances, whose attempts to deal with fame and fortune have come to sad ends. And we’re still here to think about what went wrong. And to hear the music, which is the only thing that was right.
Love,
Bobbi Cowan
June 27, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Artie, Thanks for the Tribute to Michael. It was very tragic and so very sad. I hate that he didn’t have A chance to get his life back together in front of the public. Most people loved him regardless of what the press had to say. We know most of what they say is lies anyway. I will hold his family in my heart and prayers. Thanks also for letting me know about the song of yours he did and your experience in meeting him as a young boy. That was very sweet. May God Bless You Artie for all of your good works. Vikki Sallee-Dillard
June 27, 2009 at 3:00 pm
THANK’S ARTIE…….
Randy
July 7, 2009 at 4:49 pm
THANK YOU ARTIE..for the beautiful and moving tribute to Michael Jackson. You were blessed to have known him. And thank you for posting the “We are the World” video…it always moves me to tears, especially today.Keep up your great work..
with love,
Denise
July 8, 2009 at 1:12 am
Oh My God, what a day it’s been watching this memorial for M.J. Gut wrenching to see that this mega talent was lying to rest at the front of the stage with the most unbelievable tribute to him that was done with the utmost respect to what he meant to the world. Truly the most beautiful memorial that ever was in my eyes. It told the real story in footage of what he did during his career. How could this have happened to him? I guess and believe that God put him here for this short time to prove that none of us have it all. We can at any time go to that other place no matter how big or small. We leave our mark to a small family or in Michaels work the whole world. How Blessed was he? And in only 50 short years he did so much. A quote from the old movie “Bladerunner” “A star that shines twice as Bright lasts half as long” I loved MJ and will cherish his music and talent for the rest of my life.
August 13, 2009 at 7:52 am
oh my word the service of MJ was the sadest thing ever. im 18 years old and since i was a small girl i have loved and always had the drean of meeting him. when i heard he had passed away …. i was speechless i could’nt believe that someone like him would ever pass. still till this day i still wish and hope that one day i will bump into him somewhere even though i know he is not alive, its been a dream and always will.I LOVE HIM
August 24, 2009 at 9:52 am
artie you are so luckey i wish i was luckey like you iv always wanted to speak or see michael jackson but i never got a chance 😦
August 24, 2009 at 11:54 am
i love you so much.
MICHAEL JACKSON
i miss you i will never let you far your always in my heart………=(
August 24, 2009 at 5:16 pm
i Love michal jackson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.s… Rest in peace michael!xxx
rest your little heart after all you,ve been through
With loads of love your
biggest fan
Anniexxx
August 24, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I love you michael jackson and no one can take your place. You will always be in my heart forever.
Rest in peace with love
August 25, 2009 at 11:19 am
R.I.P micheal jackson i will mizz you i always wanted to meet you since i was 5 now its too late but you know what even those your not alive your are alive in my heart forever and i will never forget you xx
September 21, 2009 at 12:32 pm
eu o amo muito quero vcs q ler isso saiba q eu sei cantar todas as musicas dele e quero ter a o ortonidade de cantar para todos mim respondao por orkut lara_amizade@hotmail.com
September 21, 2009 at 12:33 pm
THE BEST OF ALL TIME.
You are going to be missed as a singer, humanitarian, human being…God bless you and give you back the smile you were stolen……..love you
September 22, 2009 at 10:34 am
wow!
its very well.
September 22, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Michael, you will be greatly missed. You blessed us with your music for so long. The world will definitely miss you. RIP
September 23, 2009 at 11:37 am
I LOVE AND I MISS YOU VERY MUCH MICHAEL.
September 23, 2009 at 11:39 am
R.I.P MICHAEL JACKSON LOVE YOU MICHAEL
September 23, 2009 at 6:47 pm
i love u micheal u were apart of me may ur soul rest in peace
September 24, 2009 at 9:06 pm
RIP Michael. You were a shining star! Heard that a bunch of old Jackson 5 tracks have been found and will be released in the fall. Maybe the discovery of these real “lost tracks” could be one of the best legacies of all! You can read the story about the new J5 songs here. http://bit.ly/13Xkf6
September 24, 2009 at 9:59 pm
As long as we keep the love for Michael in our hearts, he lives. I never knew how much I loved him until he left. The grief has been shocking and still is. That music, that smile, that dance! I am very angry Michael suffered so much while he lived, and angry that I am still not hearing any media coverage that mentions the profoundly substantial doubts about the authenticity of the Chandler allegations. Yes, Michael was using by the end of his life – small wonder! The accusations of 1993 were completely false, Michael was extorted – and with his very individualistic personality being public knowledge its not hard to see why he attracted grifters. Strange isn’t it, that after Sneddon offered incentives and spent millions trying to track down so-called ‘victims’ of Michael, out of all the thousands of children he had met by 1993; they found no-one to corroborate Jordy’s claims – which were only made after his own father allowed a friend of his to adminster a hypnotic drug. When Thomas Mesereau was obliged to revisit this case in the subsequent trial of 2005 – he told Michael if he’d known him then he would have fought those allegations and won. It is inevitable that one day the truth of Michael’s innocence will be known and accepted by all but the most stubborn, meanwhile it hurts so much to know that Michael suffered so much and that the thing he loved most – children – was used a weapon aginst him. In reality, he championed the rights and welfare of children throughout his life. Hopefully one day all will know and understand how truly amazing this peerless artist man was. I love you Michael and i will never be forget you.
Long Live The King.
September 25, 2009 at 5:27 am
he is universal godfather.
September 25, 2009 at 6:46 am
hai iam husnul indonesia i love you full micael your is the best king of pop
September 25, 2009 at 7:19 am
As long as we keep the love for Michael in our hearts, he lives. I never knew how much I loved him until he left. The grief has been shocking and still is. That music, that smile, that dance! I am angry Michael suffered so much while he lived, and angry that I am still not hearing any media coverage that mentions the profoundly substantial doubts about the authenticity of the Chandler allegations. Yes, Michael was using by the end of his life – small wonder! The accusations of 1993 were completely false, Michael was extorted – and with his very individualistic personality being public knowledge its not hard to see why he attracted grifters. Strange isn’t it, that after Sneddon offered incentives and spent millions trying to track down so-called ‘victims’ of Michael, out of all the thousands of children Michael had met by 1993; Sneddon could find no-one to corroborate Jordy’s claims – which were only made after his own father allowed a friend of his to adminster a hypnotic drug. When Thomas Mesereau was obliged to revisit this case in the subsequent trial of 2005 – he told Michael if he’d known him then he would have fought those allegations and won. It is inevitable that one day the truth of Michael’s innocence will be known and accepted by all but the most stubborn, meanwhile it hurts so much to know that the thing he loved most – children – was used a weapon aginst him. In reality, he championed the rights and welfare of children throughout his life. Hopefully one day all will know and understand how truly amazing this peerless artist and man was. I love you Michael and will never be forget you.
Long Live The King.
September 25, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I FELT LIKE I’M LOOSING MY MIND WHEN I HEARD THAT MICHAEL IS NO LONGER HERE IN THIS WORLD.
I REALLY LOVE HIM
September 25, 2009 at 9:32 pm
i cant belive micheal jackson died i will poke my self in the eye!
September 26, 2009 at 2:50 am
Michael Jackson Você senpre
é o meu ídolo
September 26, 2009 at 11:57 pm
I missing Yuo Michael Jacson.You My King_Prinese
Kiss You end Love World of My Beuti
20009.09.27
September 28, 2009 at 8:20 am
word dont now abaut My.I am Princes,woman 25 age.I bet read and speak english,I am russion
Word missing You,I missing You
Michail You dont nou abaut My,I very good anderstand You.You my friends,You King I am Princes.
Your friends Princese Lituania
March 21, 2010 at 12:04 am
I luv u m.j d best in d world.GOO TOO SOON R.I.P my lord
June 2, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Princese Goole COLL.
June 11, 2010 at 7:08 am
aku sayang kamu
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL JACKSON
July 14, 2010 at 7:34 am
I remember the day of micheal jackson death like it was yesterday. in fact like it every day to me. I was shock to hear that my baby past. in fact micheal was the last person I inspect to lose in my life. micheal jackson is my chaming gold. micheal jackson is my everything. I love the whole jackson family even though joesph made me mad of the way he treated the whole nine beauityful children of his and kathern. micheal jackson was always my fav. during this I live he will always be.
December 11, 2016 at 6:16 am
I love You